Oscar Piastri expressed surprise at Mercedes securing the pole position during the Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying. George Russell outperformed the field, finishing first, while Piastri claimed third and his teammate Lando Norris settled for fifth. Following the session, Piastri admitted that McLaren lacked the necessary speed. The Qualifying took place at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, where Russell clocked a lap time of 1m 29.158s, surpassing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by 0.182 seconds.
Oscar Piastri’s Reflection on Qualifying
Piastri, 24, remarked that he managed to extract nearly all possible performance from his car. He stated, “There was a little bit left in it but not enough for pole.” Despite the results, he praised the session overall, maintaining that it had been a solid weekend with no significant setbacks.
Surprising Fast Pace from Mercedes
When questioned about Mercedes’ unexpected form, Piastri acknowledged the surprise, stating, “It was a surprise, yeah.” He noted that the team started Qualifying strong but could not keep pace with the competition as they improved during the session. Piastri attributed some difficulties to tire management, indicating that conditions had shifted from previous days.
Lando Norris on McLaren’s Performance
Norris acknowledged a better comfort level with the MCL39 compared to earlier sessions. However, he was candid about McLaren’s speed deficits relative to Mercedes. He explained, “We weren’t quick enough, clearly.” Norris remarked that there was a minor margin between his lap and Piastri’s but emphasized that achieving a better overall time was critical.
Race Outlook for McLaren
Looking ahead to the race, Norris maintained a realistic outlook. He commented on the importance of starting position, noting, “This track’s kind of where you qualify is more than likely where you’re going to finish.” He expressed cautious optimism while recognizing the challenges ahead.
Key Qualifying Highlights
- Pole Position: George Russell (Mercedes) – 1m 29.158s
- Second Place: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 0.182 seconds behind
- Third Place: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Fifth Place: Lando Norris (McLaren)
The unexpected performance from Mercedes adds intrigue to the upcoming race, as McLaren aims to enhance their competitive edge on the track.
